Three Special Mobile Apps Launched to Support Autistic Children

During a seminar organised by the Autism Spectrum Disorders Welfare Trust at the Lahore University of Management Sciences, three special mobile applications, AHSAS, AGHAZ and BOL, were unveiled to support autistic children.

The three applications were developed by a team from LUMS Human Computer Interaction Lab and directed by Dr Suleman Shahid in liaison with ASDWT.

According to Dr. Shahid, the application ‘AGHAZ’ was aimed to cater the need for communication for children with autism. The app can be used by teachers, parents and therapists to work with children and help them learn Urdu.

‘BOL’ is designed to focus on developing the child’s language and communication skills. It uses picture symbols, voice synthesis in Urdu and English to create new messages.

Asma Ahmed, a senior clinical psychologist at ASDWT says that, there is an urgent need for an autism centre at the government level. The government should also pass proper legislation for educating children with ASD to avail their right to study in an ordinary school.